Page 45 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

82 | OhARA MITSUSADA: A FINE IVORY
NETSUKE OF A SNAIL ON BAMBOO
By Ohara Mitsusada, signed Mitsusada 光定
Japan, Osaka, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A sublimely stained ivory netsuke, typical for the Osaka master
who was one of Ohara Mitsuhiro’s most accomplished students.
Depicted is a snail slithering across a thick section of bamboo. The
curvature and spiraling shell of the mollusc lend movement to
the composition. Typically small himotoshi through the back, the
other ‘natural’ through the opening of the bamboo section. Signed
MITSUSADA.

LENGTH 5.1 cm
Condition: Excellent condition, two fine age cracks near the base.
provenance: Sold at Sotheby’s London, 20th December 1983, lot
47. Since then in a private French collection.
Literature comparison:
Ohara Mitsuhiro produced several examples of this type, a very
similar one being reproduced in Meinertzhagen, Frederick /
Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 539. The present example
is the only recorded variant by his student Ohara Mitsusada.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.000,-

83 | A FINE IVORY NETSUKE
OF A CICADA ON BAMBOO
Unsigned
Japan, early to mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A very fine, and relatively large ivory netsuke, beautifully stained
and depicting a stately cicada on a slender section of bamboo. The
veining of the insect’s wings is rendered naturalistically. Fine spots
of honey patina. Himotoshi through the underside.
The execution of the cicada rivals those by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu
of Osaka and Ishikawa rensai of Asakusa, Tokyo.

LENGTH 5.5 cm
Condition: Very good condition. Extremely minor seamless old
repair to the right wing tip.
provenance: H.G. Beasley collection, sold at Sotheby’s London,
14th March 1984, lot 129.
Since then in a private French collection.
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.500,-

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